What to Wear: Holiday Party Edition Part 2

Happy Tuesday lovelies! Hope everyone's week got off to a good start yesterday. Today I am back talking about what to wear to holiday parties, and today's outfit inspiration focuses on another classic holiday trend: lace. In yesterday's post, I incorporated sequins into some holiday outfits that played up crimson, the quintessential Christmas color. But red isn't the only color that I think of this time of year; I think of the icy blue tones of frost and the navy blues of the increased midnight hours, as well as red's complimentary color green; decking our halls in emerald jewels and evergreen boughs; these are all colors and tones that I am drawn to this time of year. In honor of these blue and green hues, I have composed some outfits featuring gorgeous lace dresses in this pallet. As with yesterday's post, I have styled each color two ways, showing again how you can recycle your holiday outfits throughout the season.

green outfit top: dress / clutch / shoes / earrings / bracelet / blue bracelet
blue outfit top: dress / clutch / shoes / earrings / bracelet
green outfit bottom: dress / clutch / shoes / earrings / belt / necklace
blue outfit bottom: dress / clutch / shoes / earrings / bracelet / necklace

When styling a lace dress, the dress should be the focal point, and all of the accessories should complement it. The perfect neutrals during the holidays, in my self-proclaimed "expert opinion," are silver and gold, and there is no shortage of metallic options right now! This brings me to accessory talk time: ok, I believe it is a personal style choice whether you think more is more, or less is more, but my preference for most holiday parties: work, family, church, etc. is that less is more. That being said, for this post I have chosen more delicate and subdued pieces that add a touch of sparkle and glitz, without leaving you looking like you are wearing an accident from the glitter factory. Also, keep in mind that you don't need a statement necklace, especially with a lace neckline. If you feel it's too much, skip the neck candy, the lace is enough. You can always add your sparkle elsewhere. I have styled these dresses both ways, just in case. And, if you are a more is more girl, that's fine too, just double up on things from each of the outfit options!

Will you be wearing lace this season?

What are your go-to colors during the holidays?

Thanks for stopping by and have a fabulous day!

What to Wear: Holiday Party Edition

Hello Loves! Today I want to talk about one of my favorite type of outfits to plan: party attire! Now that December is in full swing, holiday parties will be popping up on our social calendars through the new year, and I, for one, could not be more excited. To me, no other time of the year is as rich with color, texture, and most importantly, SPARKLE. The entire month seems to be dripped in gold and dusted in glitter, from Christmas tree decor, to twinkling lights, to glossy wrapping paper; it doesn't seem like anything in existence can escape looking shiny and bright. I think you cannot help but feel that way too, a little more shiny and bright now than during the rest of the year. So, I think, if you feel it, flaunt it! Holiday apparel is very reflective of the mood this season ushers in with it, and it is almost impossible not to fall in love with all of the fancy party pieces on the racks. This week I will be posting some outfit ideas and pieces that I think are perfect for many of the occasions this holiday season where you want a little extra sparkle in your wardrobe; appropriately dedicated the "Holiday Sparkle" series. 

To kick off this series, I would like to introduce a holiday staple: sequins. Now, personally, I don't own a single sequined thing. GASP. Well, its true. I am not quite sure why, I guess I prefer my jewelry to sparkle and shine, not my clothing. That being said, I have been considering how I would incorporate a sequined item into my closet. I have been eyeing the numerous sequined tanks and thinking that would be a safe bet, not too much bling, an easy way to dip my toes into the sequin pool, but it is winter...and winter in the mitten is fierce. So, I started thinking about ways to incorporate a sequined piece as one of my signature layers (keeping in mind that I didn't want to look like a disco ball upon outfit completion), and thanks to the amazing line of winter apparel at J.Crew Factory this season, I was able to find two sequined pieces that I wouldn't be too intimidated to wear this winter. Knowing that many of us can't afford a new outfit for every party we attend this season, I put together two outfits for each piece, and since the color family is similar, the sets are pretty interchangeable, giving you plenty of outfit styling ideas with fewer individual pieces. I know I love to get the most bang for my buck when it comes to styling my clothes, and I bet you do too! 

set one: sequin sweater / plaid pants (option) / polka dot top / plaid skirt / bag / pumps / bracelets / nail polish / eyeliner 
necklace / earrings / headband / tights

set two: sequin skirt / polka dots sweater / plaid shirt / bow sweater / clutch / heels / necklace (option) / earrings 
tights / bracelet / nail polish / lipstick

So, as I mentioned above and you can see in the sets, all of the items I selected are very interchangeable, the color pallet is red, black, grey, and white, so three neutrals and one vibrant color. I think that this is the best way to achieve a cohesive look when mixing patterns, while looking polished and put-together. I would wear all of these outfits, and any combination thereof. As you may have observed, I am a big proponent of plaid and all of these outfits have the option of styling the more feminine sequin piece with a touch more rugged print and texture of a plaid or flannel. Pairing different textures, mixing patterns, or contrasting feminine pieces with masculine touches are all easy ways to create playful and interesting outfits that don't come across as too daring or too much of a hodge-podge. 

I hope this helps inspire you when deciding what to wear this holiday season, either by remixing pieces you already own, or adding something new, with numerous styling possibilities. Be sure to stop by tomorrow for more outfit inspiration and styling ideas for your holiday soirees this year!

Will you wear sequins this holiday season?

What trend are you most excited for this holiday season?

Thanks for stopping by and have a fabulous day!

Holiday Gift Guides - The Guy's Edition

Happy happy Monday (night) loves! It never fails that there are just too many things to do, and so little time to do them in! I really wanted to get this up last week, but life had other plans (we plan and God laughs, right?). Though, I'm sure you were all rushing to prepare for Turkey Day and the madness that was Black Friday, so hopefully you can relate and forgive me, pretty please; I am posting now, after all =) I shall try really hard to post again with a Thanksgiving day recap later this week (fingers crossed)! But, until then, I would like to share with you some items that I have been perusing for the men on my shopping list, in case you need a little inspiration! Confession time: I hate, loathe, dislike, etc. the word 'man'...and its plural 'men.' Its so weird and formal and gross to me (hello new bucket of issues to discuss with my non-existent therapist). I much prefer the word 'guys' to 'men' so that is what I shall try to stick to going forward. Now, there are significantly fewer gift guides for the guys than for the girls, since, in my experience and opinion, guys are much easier to shop for. Get them the newest electronic toy, latest movie release, new socks to replace the ones lost to the monster living in the dryer, and they are happy as a clam. Sweet and simple right? Well, I have rounded up some duds, toys, and other fun things to keep the guys in your life stylish and entertained heading into the new year. 

plaid shirts: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4
striped sweaters: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4
comfy cardi's: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4
slippers / belt / moccasins / messenger bag / grey beanie / green beanie
knit scarf / wallet / fair isle hat / plaid scarf 
plaid tie / stripe tie / grey stripe tie / check tie / dot bow tie / check bow tie / watch

plaid / table tennis / travel case / aftershave / shave cream / hat

monogrammed beer mugs / tee / shoes / beer making kit

flask / grooming creme / travel mug / hoodie / bbq tools / cutting board

cardigan / frames / journal / pen / razor / dove set / wallet / belt / socks
keurig / watch / gingham shirt / bicycle book ends / blanket
scarf / sweater / ipod shuffle / headphones / messenger bag / starbucks k-cups

I hope this gives you some inspiration for the special guys in your life, or your weird uncle, or your distant relative you are not even sure is related to you, but you feel obligated to buy something for (we all have them, right?). I mean what guy doesn't love when they don't have to go clothing shopping for an entire year, because you do it for them at Christmas? And, although they will not admit it, they like to feel a little pampered every now and then too, so a few manly 'beauty' items never hurts either. Did you see those beer mugs?? Now our love of monogramming can be shared by our counterparts in a way that makes beer actually sophisticated and a little cute (but don't tell them that, of course). Whether he's a guy's guy, the sports aficionado, the brainy guy in a tie, a hipster, the strong silent type with a pipe and a book, or just a goofy guy who stole your heart, there is something for him on this guides. With that, I wish you all happy shopping this holiday season ladies!

What's on your guy's wish list?

Are the girls or guys on your list easier to shop for?

Thanks for stopping by and have a fabulous day!